Dateline Wharton
Upcoming events in and around our community

Wharton Farmers' Market

The Wharton Farmers' Market continues this weekend at the Wharton Courthouse Square. The market features garden fresh food and handmade craft items and will be held from 9 a.m. to noon each Saturday through mid-December.

Thanksgiving food drive

Wharton ISD is holding a Thanksgiving food and clothing drive through Wednesday, Nov. 21. The school district will be accepting non-perishable food items, clothing and shoes (all sizes and descriptions), bed linens, blankets, towels, toiletries and cash during the drive. Contributors can bring their donations to the principal's office on any campus, the AEP or the Education Support Center, 2100 N. Fulton, during school hours.

Feast of Sharing 2007

The Knights of Columbus Council 3262 in Wharton is again serving the elderly and need of Wharton and surrounding communities with its traditional holiday dinner - A Feast of Sharing 2007. Supported by H-EB, the meal will be held Thanksgiving Day and served from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or until out of food on Nov. 22, at the K of C Home at 2820 N. Fulton in Wharton. To volunteer your time, talents or home baked goods or homebound deliveries, contact Leroy Dettling at 532-2218. No delivery requests the day of the dinner.

Texas Renaissance Festival

The 8th weekend of the annual Texas Renaissance Festival will feature a Celtic Christmas on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 23, 24 and 25. The festival grounds will be open 9 a.m. to dusk and are located on Farm-to-Market Road 1774 between Magnolia and Plantersville. This will be the final Festival weekend of the 2007 season and will include a Yuletide scavenger hunt, hot spiced mead and a visit with Father Christmas. For more information, visit online at www.texrenfest.com or contact the festival office at 1-800-458-3435.

Palacios Main Street market

Palacios Main Street Market Days, a gifts and shopping spree, is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 24 at Railroad Park. A second shopping day for last minute gifts and unique items is planned for Saturday. Dec. 22. Both events are sponsored by the Palacios Chamber of Commerce.

Student Council blood drive

Boling High School Student Council is hosting a blood drive on November 27, Tuesday, at the Ag Building from 8:00 am to 2:30 p.m.. Everyone donating will receive a black long sleeve T-shirt. If anyone is interested in making an appointment, call Patti Hubenak at 657-2506.

4-H Poinsettia delivery

The Wharton County 4-H Exchange Program deliver the Poinsettias sold as a fund raiser for the 4-H New Hampshire trip on Nov. 28. For information, call the Wharton County Extension Office at 532-3371.

Ballroom dancing

Ballroom dancing will be held on Fridays, Nov. 30 and Dec. 7 and 14 at the First Presbyterian Church, 1602 John Knox. The charge is $3 per person. Couples and singles are welcome.

Christmas Open House

On Saturday, Dec. 1, step back intime to the 1850s with an evening tour of the Varner Hogg Plantation House and experience the magic of a Victorian Christmas. Crafts for the children, such as ornament paiting and silhouette making, as well as refreshmennts will be available. Santa himself will also be present to listen to Christmas wishes and to take photos with visitors of all ages. Tours of the house, given by docents in period dress,will be free to the public from 6-8 p.m. Come and enjoy the beauty of the holiday season with Varner-Hogg. For additional information, contact Angela Pfeiffer at 979- 345-4656 opt. 5,ext. 3.

Halos and Holly

Grace Community Fellowship will be hosting the A.D. Playerrs National Touring Company at a Ladies Christmas Drama and Dessert Party at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 3 at Grace Community Fellowship, located at 1900 E. Boling Highway. The A.D. Players will perform "Halos and Holly," which is a collection of short Christmas plays written by Jeannette Clift George. "Halos and Holly" ranges from the solemn to the silly and back again. It compares contemporary Christmas dilemmas such as shopping for a spouse, shopping with a spouse or just shopping period with sometimes warm or poignant reminders of what the first "Christmas" might have been like. Tickets are $10 per person. For tickets or questions, call Lisa Hathway at 979-332-3835 or the church office at 979- 332-3999.

DAV Super Raffle

The Disabled American Veterans of Wharton County will be holding a 100 Gun Super Raffle. Tickets are $20 each with the drawing held Dec. 3. Proceeds will benefit the DAV Chapter 72 Transportation Fund. The raffle is being sponsored by Everyday Heroes Inc. For tickets, contact Bruce Williams at 979-282-9837 or Chester Houston at 979-531-0916.

Candlelight Concert

The WCJC Music Department will present the annual Christmas Candlelight Concert at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 6 at the First Baptist Church in Wharton. The WCJC Concert Choir and Chamber Singers will be joined by the Sivells Third Grade Choir and a community handbell choir. This is a Center for the Arts Presentation. The concert is free to the public.

Boling Christmas Parade The entry deadline for this year's Boling Christmas Parade is Saturday, Dec. 8. The parade is hosted by the Boling Fire and Rescue Department and Ladies Auxiliary and scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15 on Texas Street in Boling. After the parade, Santa will be at the Boling Fire Station for photos and refreshments will be served. For more information, call Lee Mrunstik at 979- 657-8716.

B&G Club registration

The Boys & Girls Club of Wharton is now registering for the 2007-2008 After-School Program. Membership fee is $20 per person and operating hours are from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The club is open for kids ages six to 12 and is open until 7 p.m. for teens.

Community Calendar

A calendar of local events is maintained by the Wharton Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture. Before scheduling an event, check with the chamber for possible conflicts. And notify the chamber, 532-1862, as early as possible to get your event on the calendar. There is no charge.

Dateline Wharton is a calendar of upcoming events in Wharton and surrounding communities. Normally space permits only events that will occur in the next two weeks. It is intended for special activities open to the public rather than regularly recurring meetings.